Flat-bed multicopy machine



May 8, 1923.

J. Q. SHERMAN ET AL' FLAT BED MULTICYOPY MACHINE Filed June 24, 1920 5Sheets-Sheet oooooooooood May 8, 1923; 1,454,821

J. Q. SHERMAN ET AL FLAT BED MULTICOPY MACHINE Filed June 24, 1920 5Sheets-Sheet 2 a q n g Q q N lllllllllil N Q N w v N 0 0 on o 00 o o o oo o 0 #vvmvrwms: z F W -fi o 0 Q 231k 0 3] W W *1 Z Z Z Z 3 3 o 0 j j HW A T TOR/V575 May 8, 1923.

J. Q. SHERMAN ET AL FLAT BEb MULTICOPY MACHINE Filed June 24 1920 5Sheets-Sheet 3 May 8, 1923.

J. Q. SHERMAN ET AL FLAT BED MULTICOPY MACHINE Filed June 24 [.1920 5Sheets-Sheet 4 //VI//V7'0/?S.' (Q 3 M W 09, M BY Arra/P/vz s,

' May 8, 1923.

J. QJSHERMAN ET AL FLAT BED MULTICOPY MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 7 FiledJune 24, 1920 Patented JOHN Q. SHERMAN AND ALBERT'W. 'METZNER, OIKDAYTON, OHIO; SAID ME'IZNER ASSIGNOR T SAID SHERMAN.

FLAT-BED MULTICOPY MACHINE.

Application filed June 24,

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, JOHN Q. SHERMAN- and ALBERT W. METZNER, citizens ofthe United States, and residents of Dayton,in

the following is a full, clear, and exact de scription, reference beinghad .to the draw ings-forming part of this'specification.

Our invention relates particularly to fiat bed manifolders whereincontinuous webs of paper are drawn over a, flat bed, and there held inposition, while a type writer, which moves over the bed, makesimpressions on the various films, through the interposition of carbonpaper or its equivalent.

So far as we are advised no machine in the past has been successfulwhich employed a large number of continuous webs of paper in amanifolding operation, although several designs of machines have beenoffered on the market and then withdrawn on account of failure.

all flat bed machines which make large numbers of copies require the useof separate sheets of paper, which must be arranged with interposedcarbon sheets, and collated into bundles, having accurate alignmentafter which they. are clamped to the bed 0 1 the machine.

It is our object to avoid this laborious collating as well as theconstant error which is likely to creep in through omission of carbonsheets, omission of necessary paper sheets, improper alignment, and thelike, and l to do this by providing a roll paper machine of the flat hadtype.

We have developed in this connection a .9 number of instrumentalities,some of which are an absolute requisite for. success in a machine ofthis type according to our investigations, and some of which improve the7 operation of such machines. 1

Among these instrumentalities are the aligning of the sheets laterally,by means of marginal holes or the like punched in the paper of thevarious webs in accurate relation to the printing thereon, thisalignmentto be done automatically. We alsoprovide a means for insuring a loosecondition of all webs and means for aligning them longitudinally whileso loosely held, in combina- According to our information, 7

1920. Serial No. 391,499.

tion with means for maintaining the various strips tightly and flatlyagainst the flat bed of the machine. L

We also provide means for an easy, nonfrictional passage of the variouswebs of paper over the carbon paper strips or the like, that may beused, and for jogging the carbon paper loose from the webs of paper,

should it become gummy or adherent because of the type impressionstherein, thus acting to impede the free longitudinal play of the websduring the longitudinal alignment thereof,'and seriously interferingwith the pulling-out operation.

Then, too, in connection with the carbon paper and the terminal bar, ortearing ofi' bar, we provide means whereby automatic operated mechanismserves to free the webs of paper from being clamped between tightlybound carbon sheets and whereby the strips are released beneath thetearing 01f bar to permit the said longitudinal alignment and as analigning mechanism we employ jogging pins, which in co-operation withterminal holes in the individual forms,

serve to accurately align the printing on said forms.

We accomplish these various objects and provisions and other advantagesto be, noted,

by that certain construction and arrangement of parts to be hereinaftermore specifically pointed out and claimed.

In the drawings,

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the complete device, omitting the rearcabinet.

Figure 2 is a detail perspective of the storage roll rack on which therolls of paper are to be mounted. I Figure 3 is'a detail front elevationof the sliding mechanism in which the carbon paper is held. p

Figure 4 is a plan view of one of the sliding frames of the mechanismshown in Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a detail elevation of one of the operatin forks for saidmechanism.

Figure 6 (sheet 1) is a detail perspective showing the clamping fingeron the type- Figure 8 is a detail elevation, partly in section showingthe carbon paper mounting and clamping mechanism.

Figure 9 is an elevation of the, carbon paper roll mounting.

Figure 10 is a'perspective view of the inner clamping bar'element forretaining the carbon paper.-

Figure 11 is a perspective view of the removable or drop in clampingbar, for the carbon paper.

Figure 12 is a perspective view of the spring plate mounting for thealigning pins on a scale smaller than the other views on Sheet 3.

Figure 13 is a detail vertical section of the machine at the point ofattachment of the parts shown in Figure 12.

Figure 14 is a top plan view of the parts shown in Figure 13.

Figure 15 is an end elevation of the parts shown in Figure 14.

Figure 16 is a detail side elevation of one of the controlling cams andpaperclamping bars.

Figure 17 is a perspective detail of the guards for protecting thecarbon paper and the mounting means therefor.

Figure 18 is a view of one of the pin wheel idler devices for lateraladjustment.

Figure 19 is a perspective detail showing more or less diagrammaticallythe operation of the carbon paper guards.

Referring first to the frame-work of the machine, it will be observedthat the side standards or plates 1, 1, support the typewritersupporting and. platen frame 2, 2, over which the typewriter 3 is moved,the construction being similar to any standard form of fiat bedtypewriters. It will ordinarily be our practice to provide a cabinet ofsome desired form to enclose the paper mounting and guiding devices atthe rear of the standards and guides now referred to. No such cabinet isshown, for purposes of clearness in the drawings. v

As shown in Figure 2 (Sheet 2) of the drawings, a rack for mounting thespindles of paper rolls, is provided. The two side bars- 4, areconnected preferably at the base by a base bar 5. k On the one side barthere are cross arms 6, 6, having in each arm a pair of holes 7, 7 Thereare like cross arms-8, 8, on the other side bar which have angled slots8 therein, into which may be dropped the one end of a paper roll spindle9, the other end being set in the proper hole at the other side of theframe.

Sliding on the 'bar having the slotted cross arms is another bar 10,which carries a set of segment shaped arms 11. When this bar 10 is inits lower position the arms 11 lie over the slots and keep the rollspindles in Place. The bar 10 is. provided with a handle 12, whichincludes in its structure 8.

--roll, said idlers being set into the sides of the machine, in anydesired way. The paper rolls 17 mounted over the spindles in the racknow described, are ordinarily made up of long webs of paper printedalike into forms, which it is desired to fill out in multiple, allprinting being made on each form,

in perfect alignment both transversely and longitudinally of the forms.

The webs are brought from the rolls and passed under the idlers, the topand bottom webs only being indicated by the reference letters A and B,the lowermost roll of paper furnishing, the uppermost web of paper onthe machine platen.

The webs of paper are formed with a set .of marginal holes 18,preferably along each margin inside the edge thereof, these holes beingpunched in uniform and accurate relation to the printing for each strip.Also each form has punched at the forward end thereof, a plurality ofholes 19, samebeing lar er, ordinarily than the marginal holes.

As will be noted, the marginal holes are employed for providing alateral adjustment for the various webs, therebynot only to bring thelongitudinal lines on the forms into absolute registry witheach other,but also preserving the larger terminal holes 19 into such alignmentlaterally that it is pos:

sible to insert through them suitable alig'n i'ng pins, after the webshave been drawn over the writing surface of platen. The large holes 19are then employe into accurate registry.

to the stretching ofpaper lengthwise and inaccurate lateral cutting, theforms will not be of the same length or width. The use of the holes foraligning in both directions thereby results in a perfect alignment,which so far as we are advised, is not possible in any other way.

As indicative of the usefulness of a large,

number of copies of the same form, it may be noted that in businesshouses. it is good practice to have the following copies made out assoon as orders are received. ('1). Office order for filing. (2). Invoicetobe used when goods are shipped.- (3). Shop order.

(4). Shipping order. (5) Assembly order. (6). Oflice copy of invoice.(7). Prospective commission estimate. (8). Acknowledgement of order.(9). Credit department d; .0 aligning the webs longitudinally therebybringing all transverse lines of thefwebs copy of shipment. (10). Salesdepartment copy of commission estimate. (11). Agents notice of shipment,and (12). Agents acknowledgement of order.

As is evident all of these forms require thesame information thereon,and the making of the various forms at once upon receipt of the orderresults in complete advices to every one concerned in the order,

and a constant check to each department to avoid error.

After leaving the idler rolls, the paper webs are brought up over thelateral alignment frame, Figure 1. This frame is made up of side bars20, connected together by pins 21, over which are set rolls 22. Theserolls carry at their en ds, or possibly at one end only. a series ofradial pins 23 of tapered nature and of a size to engage readily intothe marginal holes in the paper, successive pins engaging successiveholes.

The side bars of the alignment frame are slotted toreceive the spindlesof rolls or bars 24. (Figure'?) which lie by gravity adjacent the pinbearing rolls, and are grooved as at 25 to clear the pins. These gravityrolls maintain the paper on the pins without pressure against it.

The alignment frame is shown as mounted by clamping bolts 26 onextensions 27 from the sides 2 of the typewriter and bed supportingplates and should preferably be P in a slanting position or at least notin a horizontal position, so that the various webs of paper aresubstantially free of any contact with each other, or at least free offrictional engagement with each other.

Upon passing over the pin bearing rolls in the frame now described, thevarious webs of paper are brought into alignment laterally because thepin bearing bodies are so arranged that the pin wheel portions are intrue alignment and since the holes in the various webs are in alignmentalso, the paper will be jogged or freely impelled toward a uniform andconstant alignment. Instead of v a roll having-pins at its ends, we mayemploy in this aligning device a pintle 16 over which is mounted arotatable idler sleeve 16 (Fig. 18), this sleeve having the pin bearingsprockets 16 thereon adjustably held by set screws. In order to supportthe paper webs any desired number of collars or drums 16 may be mountedon the sleeve and suitably held in place thereon, said collars having adiameter equal to the diameter of the rotary bodies that carry the pins.

With this constructiom'the pin wheels may be adjusted along the sleeveto any desired spacing and the collars or drums moved ac-' cordingly,thereby enabling us to take care of a variety of widths of paper strips.

Without first describingO the-carbon paper mounting devices, it will emerely noted at this point that the carbon paper in our device ismounted along-side of the flatbed,

and brought in separate sheets across the 7 bed, transversely to thepath of the paper and that the paper is inserted between the carbonsheets, and drawn along as the forms are completed and torn off, so thatthecarbon paper remains in place except from time to time when thestrips thereof are pulled across the bed to expose new surface.

In view of the fact that an assembly of say six to twelve paper webs tobe written upon, and a like number of sheets less one of carbon papermay have to be dealt with on the platen or bed, it is evident that ifthere is any rubbing of the paper against the carbon sheets or anyroughness around the marginal holes, or the like, that the carbon paperwill be caught and pulled out of shape at its edge that opposes thepaper movement resulting in loss of time, anomaking the machineimpractical.

In fact it has been our experience that it is not webs 0 paper throughan interlaced transverse body of carbon paper, and have the carbon paperedges exposed to the paper at its point of entrance into the interlacedarrangement.

. Accordingly at the rear end of the bed frame or typewriter support 2,we provide channel bars 28 (Figures 17 and 19), which side walls of theframe. Into these channels are dropped a series of rods 29 havingexpanded ends 30, which maintain the body of the rods in spacedrelation.

A simple way of formmg the expanded ends is to drive small collars onthe ends,

but any desired way-will sufiice.

Over the rods are secured a double fold of material, preferably paper asat 31, whlch engages the rod along the line of fold and thence extendsforward over vthe .bed or platen in two plies. There will be enough rodsfor each sheet of carbon paper used, and the ends of the folds willoverlie the sheets of carbon paper 32, thereby protectlng the edges ofthe paper.

practical. to pull a large number of rovide a vertical channel along thetwo Ill) The various printed webs may then be brought from the aligningframe, and thence inserted one sheet between each paper guard and drawnover the platen or bed of the machine. This operation is accomplished bydrawing the paper films into position on the platen one at a time,setting a piece of carbon paper over each film and dropplng'in place aguard rod over each film, with the guard strips brought forward and setunder and over the carbon paper. a

' Should it be desired to cut out the transfer of items in certaincolumns from certain of the multiple copies, the guard sheets will beextended as shown at 33 (Figure 17) so as to block ofl a portion of thecarbon paper sheet which would otherwise effect a transfe r on the paperweb lying beneath the particular guard in question.

While We mentioned the use of paper, and this because of its thin naturewill probably be found preferable, we do not maintain that this is theonly practical way of providing the fiat platen.

a guard for the carbon paper edge. Furthermore there may be many otherways apparent to the persons skilled in the art for guarding the exposededge of carbon sheets in such an'assembly.

As shown in Figures 3, 4, 5, 8, 9,10, 11, the carbon paper is mounted onrolls at the side of the machine and then brought over Clamping devices.for the paper are employed at each side of the machine, which clampingdevices are releasable automatically when the typewriter is moved out ofwriting position, and also are capable of a manual movementlongitudinally of the bed, to break the sheets loose from the webs ofpaper should they adhere .thereto and permit their easy adjustmentlongitudinally of the Webs.

The rolls 34 of carbon paper are mounted in troughs or spaces 35 alongthe sides of the bed. Any usual type of spindle 36 is used, which isinserted through a hole in an end plate 37 and over which the carbonpaper is placed. A disk 38 on the spindle is under control of a spring39 around the spindle, and the tapered end 40 of the spindle is insertedin a notch in the block 41. The plate 37 and the block 41 are locatedadjacent the two ends of the fiat platen or bed.

A clamping device for the carbon paper is used at each side of themachine in the troughs 35. Mounted to slide on ledges 42 at the base ateach side of the trough are frames having .side bars 43, 43 and endvbars 44. To one end of one of the end bars are secured springs 45, whichengage over studs 46 on the end bar, and are held by across block, asfor example, the block 41. A cross shaft 47 extending through thetroughs and beneath the platen and equipped with a handle 48 is employedto slide these frames lengthwise of the platen. This is accomplished bymeans of U-shaped levers 49 on the shaft and studs 50 on the two sideplates of the frames. The outer sliding plate may be held on its seat byremovable pins 43 making the whole assembly readily demountable.

The carbon paper clamps-comprise two special plates 51 and 60. The plate51 is slotted at 52, 52, to ride up and down on studs 53 in the insideplate .43. It has a right angle base flange 54 which is supported bymeans of suitable springs 55 on a special shelf 56 mounted onsaid insideframe plate 43 (Figures 3 and 8'). on the base flange 54 serve asretainers for the upper ends of the springs and like studs Small studs57 v 58 do the same service for the shelf 56. Terminal slots 59 in theplate 51 may also be used for purposes of permanent attachment to thesliding frame side plate 43.

As held by thesprings the plate 51 will have its upper edge normallyabove the printing surface of the upper sheet of paper on the platen.

A second clamping plate between which and the plate 51 the carbon paperpasses is shown at 60, which plate has unitary posts or rods 61extending therefrom. Over these rods are fitted socket pieces 62, whichhouse springs 63 that press on the ends of the posts. The socket pieceshave tapered ends 64 which seat in notches cut in the outer slid-.

ing plate 43 of the longitudinally moving frame.

The plate seats at the lower end thereof on the base flange of the plate51, and at its upper end is provided with a hinged plate 65, which isspring-pressed by means of springs 66, lying between the lugs 67 on theplate 60 and the fingers 68 on the hinged plate.

It will be understood that a like clamping device is mounted on bothsides of the machine, and that thetcarbon paper passes between theplates 60 and 51 on each side of the lateral troughs bordering the flatbed or platen. The plate overlies the top most webs of paper on the bedand on y when depressed acts as a longitudinal clamp for the material onthe bed so that in the ab-- sence of a positive forcing downwardly ofthe assembly the carbon paper will not be held tightly against the bedof the machine, but will be lifted up by means of the upper edge of theplate 51 toa position above the platen or bed.

The typewriter 3 which, as is the normal practice, is moved on itstracks entirely to one side of the platen or bed while paper is beingchanged, carries on its under side a set of rollers 69. As thetypewriter is moved into writing position these rollers will contactwith the plate 60 and force it downwardly thereby carrying down thecarbon paper and stretching it tautly. At the same time the plate 65will be depressed against the paper lying on the platen and will clanrpthe paper down in place at the same time. The plate 65 is cut away soasnot to interfere with the contact of the rollers with the plate 60hinged.

The purpose of having the hinged plate 65 or some other resilient memberto press down on the assembly of paper on the platen is that if thepaper is quite'thick, the plate would be. likely to impede the action ofthe typewriter by pressing upwardly L on the rollers. When resilient,however, it will tip sufficiently to permit the passage of thetypewriter, even though the assembly of paper is quite thick, therebypermitting the full depression of the carbon paper clamps as well as theuse of the desired number of films of paper. For pressing down the paperfirmly at the printing point, a spring carbon paper from each other.

While in this loose condition the handle 48 is rocked to and fro withthe result of shifting all of the carbon paper and loosening up alladhesions'thereof to the webs. Unless this is done, the operator willhave great difiiculty in pulling all of the webs together in a forwardmovement over the bed in order to tear them off and align and set freshsections of the paper webs in position,

should the carbon paper be sticky as is often the case.

If it is desired to adjust the carbon paper lengthwise of the platen inorder to expose fresh carbon paper to the printing action,

an adjusting screw or screws 70 (Figure 4) may be mounted in the endblocks of the troughs and set in different positions so as to co-operatewith springs that bring the sliding frame to its normal position. incon: trolling that portion of the carbon paper that is exposed to thetype impressions.

- Our experience has shown that it is necessary to renew the top sheetsof carbon paper sooner than those below, and we have hence worked out asystem of mounting the carbon paper whereby it is arranged so that theroll used for the upper sheets shall contain one or two plies, the rollfor the next sheets having three or a larger number of plies,

and third roll, should one be required, hav-- ing the remainingnecessary plies.

Thus in practice where ten webs of paper are used, the lower five sheetscan be on the single carbon roll, the middle three sheets on a singleroll and the top two sheets on a single roll. In renewing the paper afresh portion of the smaller roll is pulled off, say, three times, totwo times for the middle roll and one time for the larger roll. Thisgives us great economy in carbon paper and yet admits of the use of a,plurality of plies of carbon paper on a single roll, reducing therequisite size of the carbon paper storage space. v 1.

To renew the sheets the plates 60 are lifted the old torn off, and theplates 60 dropped again into place. This can be'done withoutdisturbingth webs of paper on the bed of the machine, and avoidsthetedious work of separating and then collating the sheets each time thecarbon paper is changed.

Referring now to Figures 12-16 of the drawings, the devices at theoperators end of the machine will be described. It is to be noted ofthese devices, that they provide for the longitudinal alignment of thevarious paper webs and the clamping them down to preserve this alignmentwhile being written upon, and for tearing ofii'of the used webs.

It should be noted also that if the sheets 'when they arrive at theoperators end of the machine are not aligned laterally, it will beimpossible Without an almost complete col- "lating of the various-websto employ the holes 19 in the webs for longitudinal alignment.

All of the webs of paper pass under a tearing off knife or bar 71, whichis hinged at one end at 72 on the frame of the platen or bed,

.and is held clamped down at theother end by means of a spring hook 73.The bar may be readily swung out of the way in order to gain access tothe other parts of the machine below it, and to collate the sheetsshould this be required.

A spring plate 74 is mounted beneath the platen of the machine, with itsforward end pressed upwardly by its inherent springiness. Slidingbeneath this plate is a threesided frame 75, which has screws or lugsthereon to engage the slots 76 in the said plate. At the forward endof-the side arms of the frame 75 are mounted two pins 77,

which extend upwardly, and pass through slots 78 in the tearing off-barwhen in normal position under th "influence of the spring plate. [Thepins extend downwardly also and are coupled together by a cross rod 79,which may be said to complete the three-sided frame 75. A spring finger80 mounted beneath the sliding frame and on the spring plate serves toengage the cross rod between the pins and hold them in a retractedposition.

the tearing ofi:' knife or elsewhere if desired,

are used to clamp the paper in place. These clamps have posts 82extending down through a' frame of the bed, and springs 83 ofconsiderable power press against the heads 84 of these posts and keepthe clamps in operative position. A cross shaft 85 having a handle 86 isused to elevate the clamps,

when desired by means of cams or eccentrics 87 mounted on the shaft andadapted to con- I tact with the heads of said posts. 7 out .of place,fresh paper drawn off the rolls,

As so. constructed the operation is as follows :-The paper when firstsetup is brought forward-over the bed, the carbon paper inserted betweenthe sheets, and then clamped at both sides, and the sheets alignedlongitudinally by hand enough to bring the holes 19 therein into-a fairregistry.

The operator then lowers the tearing off bar, sets the holes over thepins with the pins through the slots in the bar and grasping the crossrod between them works the ,so that they are of uniform width;

pins back and forth, thereby jogging the various webs into line. Thepins being considerably smaller than the holes will readily do this. 1

The webs are loose clear back to the original rolls during thisoperation and without tearing out the holes, the pins will serve tobring them all into alignment, thereby aligning absolutely the printedmatter on the various multiple webs. It should be understood that thisis not a mere pulling of the webs through a short path, which might'ormight not sufiice under specially favorable circumstances, but is ajogging back and forth of loose paper, our whole mechanism beingdesigned for this purpose.

With th aligning pins in their forward position the operator then letsdown the clamping fingers, and moves the typewriter into place therebyclamping down the carbon paper and the paper webs along the sides of themachine.

When the writing operation is over. the typewriter is moved away fromthe bed, thereby loosening the carbon paper, and the forward clamps aremanually released by the operation of the handle 86. The carbon paper isthen jogged free of adhesion and the pins removed from the paper byforcing the cross rod betweenthem downwardly and rearwardly to bring thepins below the paper and out of alignment with the holes, in whichposition the cross bar will be retained by the spring hook. The pa er isthen drawn ofi, by grasping it in the and where it extends :under thetearing off bar, and tearing 1t off against said bar. It should be notedof Figures 13, 14.- and'15 that if paper were present the aligning pinswould be in a lower position because of being blocked off the paper andit should also be noted that when the operator has drawn off a set offorms the next set will be drawn up far enough for the pins to move upinto the holes 19 thereof which will stop the operator and guide him inpulling out a proper length form.

Our experience has been that, in the formation of a plurality of webs orfilms of pa per for use in a machine of the above described character,it is impossible or at least impractical to shear the webs at the edgesThe variation, even in careful press work is so great as t rendermanifolding very inaccurate, and so that any device employing thelateral edges of the webs for alignment will really do more harm thangood. Our means for aligning the webs laterally by means of holespunctured in perfect alignment and spacing with regard to the printingon the forms, is thus an essential feature ofvour machine and isapplicable to a Wide variety of uses in other paper feeding machines orof films of paper drawn by hand from stor age rolls or the like to jogthem back and forth a plurality of times while they are held loosely, sothat the jogging can take effect and perfect alignment be produced. Thisloose holding is, of course, most necessary at all points where the websare drawn through a bending path.

It is believed that the various steps of operation have been now notedand a set of exemplary devices for accomplishing them pointed out. We donot assert the absolute essentiality of the complete assembly ofoperative parts and by no means desire to confine ourselves to thespecific mechanisms described, but on the contrary desire our claims tobe construed with the full application of the doctrine of equivalentswherever their language so permits.

Having thus described our invention What we claim as new and desire tosecure by LettersPatent, is

1. In a multi-copy machine a storage rack for paper rolls comprising apair of vertical members, roll spindle engaging means interspaced onboth sides of said vertical members, and a latching means adapted toengage and hold a plurality of spindles in'the spindle engaging means onone of said vertical members, said latching means being operable as aunit.

2. In a multi-copy machine, a storage rack for paper rolls comprising apair of vertical members, cross arms spaced alike along each of thevertical members, one set of cross arms having holes at each side oftheir vertical member, and the other set of cross armshavother, therebeing one, pin wheel or more for each strip and-a ngitudinal aligningmeans aligning means for the purpose described comprising idler rotarypin bearing bodies adapted to engage marginal holes in the said stripsand a longitudinal aligning means also adapted toengage holes in thepaper at a subsequent point in its path in the machine.

5. In a multi-copy machine a lateral aligning means for the purposedescribed comprising a series of shafts, one shaft for each paper stripto be aligned, and one or more idler rotary pin bearing bodies for eachshaft adapted to engage successive marginal holes in one of said paperstrips, said pin bearing bodies being arranged in line longitudinally ofthe path of the strips and a longitudinal aligning means also adapted toengage holes in the paper at a subsequent point in its path in themachine. 6. In a multi-copy machine a lateral alignmg means for thepurpose described, comprising a series of shafts, one shaft for eachpaper strip to be aligned, and one or more idler rotary pin bearingbodies for each shaft adapted to engage successive marginal holes in oneof said paper strips, said pin bearing bodies being arranged in line lonitudinally of the path of the stri s, said shaf ts being so arranged indifferent orizontal planes that the individual strips of paper may bedrawn without contact with each other to an assembly point for multiplewriting and a longitudinal aligning means also adapted to engage holesin the paper at a subsequent point in its path in the machine.

7. In a machine of the character described a lateral aligning means forthe purpose described comprising a series of shafts, one shaft for eachindividual paper strip to be aligned, and a pair of rotary idler bearingbodies on-each shaft, said bodies being arranged in alignment with eachother longitudinall of the path of the strips and a longitu inalaligning means also adapted to engage holes in the-paper at a subsequentpoint in its path in the machine. I

8. In a multi-copy machine, a lateral aligning means for the purposedescribed comprisingidler rotary pin bearing bodies adapted to engagemarginal holes in the said strips, and means loosely engaging the stripsand retaining them down on the pin bearing bodies.

9. In a multi-copy machine a lateral alignin means for duplicate paperstrips adapte to co-operate-with a series of holes marginally arrangedon the said strips in like relation to the printing thereon, comprisinga series of independent rotary idler pin wheel members adapted to engagesaid holes and positioned alike with relation to each other, there beingat least one pin wheel for each strip, and means loosely engaging thestrips and retaining them down on the.

pin bearingbodies and a longitudinal aligning means also adapted toengage holes in the paper at a subsequent point in its path in themachine.

10. In, amachine of the character described a lateral aligning means forthe purpose described comprising a,series of shafts, one shaft for eachindividual paper strip to be aligned, and a 'pair of rotary idlerbearing bodies on each shaft, said bodies being arranged in alignmentwith each other longitudinally of the path of the strips, said pinbearing bodies being adjustable along the shafts to take care ofdifferent widths of paper anda longitudinal aligning means also adaptedto engage. holes in the paper at a subsequent point in its path in the"machine.

11. In a machine of the character described a lateral aligning means forthe purpose described comprising a series of shafts, one shaft for eachindividual paper strip to be aligned, and a pair of rotary idler bearingbodies on each shaft, said bodies being arranged in alignment with eachother longitudinally of the path of the strips, said pin bearing bodiesbeing adjustable along the shafts to take care of different widths ofpaper, and means adjustable on the shafts for supporting the )aperstrips intermediate the pin bearing bodies.

12. In a lateral aligning device for the purpose described thecombination of a frame, a series of shafts setin said frame at least onerotary pin bearing body mounted on each shaft and adapted to turn idlywhile engagin marginal perforations in paper strips, there being oneshaft for each'paper strip, and a series of bars or the like adapted tobe mounted in said rack and grooved to provide clearance for the pinbearing bodies and held in position to loosely engage the paper on saidpin bearing bodies.

13. In a multi-copy machine, the combination with independent mountingmeans for a series of rolls of paper strips, a platen upon which theva-riousstrips are assembled,

and held stationary and multiple copies made thereon while so held, andmechanical means for aligning the strips laterally located between theroll mounting means and the platen.

14. In a multi-copy machine, the combination with independent mountingmeans for a series of rolls of paper strips, a platen upon which thevarious strips are assembled and held stationary and multiple copiesmade thereon While so held, and mechanical means for aligning the stripslaterally located between the ro.'l mounting means and the platen, .saidmeans being adapted to engage a portion of the strips within the edgethereof.

15. An idler lateral aligning device for a plurality of strips of paper,said device being adapted to engage means located within the' edges ofthe strips of paper and a longitudinal aligning means also adapted toengage holes in the paper at a subsequent point in its path in themachine.

16. An idler lateral aligning device for a plurality of strips of paper,said device being adapted to engage means located within the edges ofthe strips of paper, and comprising a series of elements, one elementfor each strip of paper and a longitudinal aligning means also adaptedto engage holes in the paper at a subsequent point in its path in themachine.

17. The combination in a multi-copy machine of means for'supplyingcontinuous webs of paper to be interlaced with transversely extendingwebs of a transferring medium, of means adapted to lie on both sidesofthe said web between which said webs of paper pass prior to beingbrought into contact with said transversely extending webs, said meansbeing adapted to extend over both of the edges of said transverselyextending Webs, for the purpose describe 18. The combination in amulti-copy machine of means for supplying continuous webs of paper to aprinting point, means for I mounting transversely extending interlacedpieces of carbon paper between the webs of paper, and means adapted tolie on both sides of the said web of paper and extending over both ofthe edges of said transversely extending webs of carbon paper, for thepurpose described. r

19. The combination in a multi-copy machine of means for supplyingcontinuous webs of paper, means for mounting transversely extendinginterlaced carbon paper strips for said paper and a series of elementsalso lying between said webs of paper and having ends adapted to extendin the direction of the web paper movement, and lying on both sides ofthe meeting edge of the carbon paper strips so as to prevent contact ofall webs of paper with any edge portion of carbon paper. I

{20. The combination in a multi-copy machine of means for guardingthe'edges of interlaced carbon paper. from distortion by the movement ofmultiple webs of paper therebetween, comprising a series of bars setbetween the paper webs. and elements extending from said bars andlapping over both sides of said carbon paper edges, so as to preventcontact of all webs of paper with any edge portion of carbon paper.

21. The combination in a multi-copy machine of means for guarding theedges of interlaced carbon paper from distortion by themovement ofmultiple webs of paper therebetween, comprising a series of bars setbetweenthe paper webs, and elements extending from said bars and lappingover both sides of said carbon paper edges, said elements comprisingdouble pieces of flexible material secured to said bars and supportedbetween said webs of paper.

22. In a fiat bed Inulti-copy machine, the

combination with a platen, a typewriter adapted to move across saidplaten and strike downwardlywith its type against the platen, of meanson the typewriter for maintaining a compact condition of multiple websof the desired print receiving medium beneath the type, comprising aresilient element beneath the typewriter located to press downwardly onthe paper closely adjacent the printing point.

23. In a fiat bed multi-copy machine, the combination with a platen, atypewriter adapted to move across said platen and strike downwardly withits type against the platen, of means on the typewriter for main-- 24.In a flat bed multi-copy machine, the

combination with a platen, a writing machine movable over the platen,means for retaining carbon paper at both sides of the platen, said meansbeing adapted to retain the carbon paper spaced above from the surfaceof the platen when the writing ma.- chine is removedtherefrom.

- 25. In a flat bed multi-copy machine, the combination with a platen, awriting machine movable over the platen, means for retaining carbonpaper at both sides of the platen, said means being adapted to retainthe carbon "paper spaced above the platen surface when the writingmachine is removed therefrom and said means being shiftable withrelation to the platen so as to loosen adhesions ofsaid carbon paper. I26. In a fiat bed multi-copy machine, the combination with a platen. awriting machine movable over the platen, means for re- 'taining carbonpaper at both sides of the chine movable over the platen, means orretaining carbon paper at both sides of the platen, said means beingadapted to retain the carbon paper above the platen surface when thewriting machine is removed therefrom, and comprising longitudinallyextending members pressed together, and spring pressed above the surfaceof the platen, said writing machine having a contact member adapted todepress said longitudinally extending members to a position to hold thecarbon paper tightly down against the bed.

28. A carbon paper arrangement for fiat i bed multi-copy machinescomprising in part a trough element, a plate mounted at one side of thetrough element adjacent the bed,

and a second plate having means for engaging resiliently the othe sideof the trough element to retain it in c amping contact with means forengaging resiliently the other one of the sliding members to retain saidother plate clamping contact with the first plate.

30. A carbon paper arrangement for fiat copy machines employingcontinuous webs bed multi-copy machines comprising in part a pair ofmembers slidable longitudinally of the bed, a plate mounted on one ofsaid sliding members, and another plate having means for engagingresiliently the other one of the sliding members to retain said otherplate in clamping contact with the first plate, and means for movingsaid sliding members along the bed simultaneously.

31. A carbon paper arrangement for flat bed multi-cop machinescomprising in part anelement a apted to be moved longitudinally of thebed, and means carried by the said element and adapted to clamp carbonpaper for use on the said bed.

32. A carbon paper arrangementfor flat bed multi-copy machinescomprising in part a trough element, a plate mounted at one side of thetrough element adj acentjthe bed, and a second plate having means forengaging resiliently the other side of the trough element to retain itin clamping contact with the first plate, resilient means for support-"ing the plate adjacent the bed in such position as to retain its upperedge above the surface of the bed.

33. A carbon paper arrangement for multi-copy mac hines comprising sidesupports, a plate on one of said side supports and another plate havingposts thereon, and spri g housings adapted to slide over said post andmeans in the other side support for removably engaging said springhous-.

ings.

34. Ina flat bed multi-eopy machine, the combination with a platen, andmeans for clamping carbon paper for use over the nally and platencomprising relatively fixed plate, and a removable plate, said removableplate having spring means thereon and means for removably supporting thespring means in a position for it to force the removable plate againstthe relatively fixed plate.'

35. An aligning mechanism for multicopy machines employing continuouswebs of paper, comprising pin means for engaging holes in the paper, andmeans for moving said pins back and forth in a path longitudinal of thecontinuous strips, said means being limited in movement to a pathinsufficient to feed a section of paper through the machine.

36. The combination in a flat bed multiple copy machine of means forsupplying continuous multiple webs of paper thereto, means for looselyretaining webs of paper over the machine bed, said paper havinguniformly located holes therein, pin means for engaging the holes, andmeansfor mounting the pin means adapted to permit a limitedmovementthereof back and forth longitudinally of the machine bed, saidmovement being insufiicient to feed a section of paper through themachine.

37-.- An aligning mechanism for multiof paper forms, comprising pinmeans for engaging terminal holes in the forms, and means for movingsaid pins in a'limited path back and forth longitudinally of the path ofthe paper.

38. Ina multi-copy machine adapted for use with continuous webs of paperforms having uniform marking thereon andc-hav- I ing uniformly locatedholes both longitudinally and laterally thereof, of pin means forengaging the lateral and longitudinal holes for aligning said webs priorto forming copies thereon.

. 39. In a multi-copy machine adapted for use with continuous webs ofpaper forms having uniform' marking thereon and having uniformly locatedholes both longitudinally and laterally thereof, of means for looselyretaining the webs. in the machine, and pin means for engaging thelateral and longitudinal holes, for the purpose described.

40. In a multi-copy machine adapted for use with continuous webs. ofpaper forms having uniform marking thereon and hav= inguniformly-located holes both longitudl; laterally thereof, of means forloosely retaining the webs in the mach ne, pin means for engaging thelongltudinal holes for effecting ateral alignment of the webs, andadditional pin-means located to act upon the webs after being laterally.aligned and adapted for engagement with the lateral holes to align thewebs longitudinally.

In a multi-copy machine adapted for use with continuous webs of paperforms having marginal holes and transverse holes, of rotary pin idlersto engage the marginal holes, and positively movable pin means adaptedto engage the transverse holes, in the webs after same have beenlaterally aligned, in order to longitudinally align them.

42; In a multi-copy machine, the combination with means for storingcontinuous multiple webs of paper, means for laterally aligning saidwebs before reaching the printing bed, a printing'bed, and pin meanslocated beyond the bed and adapted to engage holes formed uniformly inthe various webs to longitudinally align them.

43. In a multi-copy machine, meansfor storing continuous websof paper,means for laterally aligning the Webs, means for retaining the Websloosely over a platen, means for loosely retaining carbon paper betweenthe webs over said platen, and pin means adapted for positivereciprocatory movement longitudinal of the platen and adapted to engageholes perforated in the webs of paper for jogging the said webs intoalignment during said loose retaining thereof.

44. In a multi-copy machine, means for storing continuous webs of paper,means for laterally aligning the webs, means for retaining the websloosely over a platen, means for loosely retaining carbon paper betweenthe webs over said platen, and pin means adapted for positivereciprocatory movement longitudinal of the platen and adapted to engageholes perforated in the webs of paper for jogging the said webs intoalignment during said loose retaining there of, and means for clampingtightly to the platen both the continuous Webs and the carbon paper,during printing action on the paper.

45. An aligning means for multiple webs of paper over the fiat bed of amanitolding machine comprising a plurality of pins, means for mountinsaid pins for reciprocatory movement, sa d pins being adapted to engagea plurality-of transversely arranged holes formed in the paper webstransversely of the webs, and means for guiding and limiting the saidmovement of the pins.

46. An aligning means for multiple webs of paper over the flat bed of amanifolding machine comprising a plurality of pins,

means for mounting said pins for reciprocatory movement, said pins beingadapted to engage a plurality of transversely arranged holes formed inthe paper webs transversely of the Webs, and means for guiding andlimiting thesaid movement of the pins, comprisinga tear ofi' bararranged to straddle ,the paper and slotted to receive the pins.

47. In'a multi-copy machine, the combination with a storage means forcontinuous webs of paper, a lateral aligning means for the Webs, meansfor mounting carbon paper transverse of the webs, means for guarding therearward edges of the carbon paper from contact with the webs of paper,and longitudinal aligning means tor-the paper.

48. In a mult-i-copy machine, the combination with a storage means forcontinuous webs of paper, a lateral aligning means for the webs, meansfor mounting carbon paper transverse of the Webs, means for guarding therearward edges of the carbon paper from contact with the webs of: paper,and longitudinal aligning means for the paper, both of said aligningmeans comprising pin bearing bodies adapted to engage in holes formeduniformly in the paper.

49. In a multi-copy machine, the combination with a storage means forcontinuous Webs of paper, a lateral aligning means for the webs, meansfor mounting carbon paper transverse of the webs, means for guarding therearward edges of the carbon paper from contact with the Webs of paper,and longitudinal aligning means for the paper, both of said aligningmeans comprising pin bearing bodies adapted to engage in holes formeduniformly in the paper, the lateral aligning means being idle andadapted to operate upon pulling the Webs thereover and the longitudinalaligning means being positively operable.

50. In a multi-copy machine, the combination with a storage means forcontinuous webs of paper, a lateral aligning means for the webs, meansfor mounting carbon paper transverse of the webs, means for guarding therearward edges of, the carbon paper from contact with the webs of paper,and longitudinal aligning means for the paper, said storing means, andlateral aligning being adapted to individually engaging each Web ofpaper, and maintainin each Web separate from the others, both 0 saidaligning means comprising pin bearing bodies adapted to engage in holesformed uniformly inthe paper.

51. An aligning means for a plurality of webs of uniformly printedpaper, comprising a spring element, a sliding element on the springelement, pins on the sliding element, an element to hold the webs ofpaper with holes therein loosely over the pins and means for engagingthe sliding element to move it to and fro in a line longitudinal of thepaper webs.

52. An aligning means for a plurality of webs of uniformly printedpaper. comprising a spring element, a sliding element on the springelement, pins on the sliding element, an element to hold the Webs ofpaper with holes therein loosely over the pins and means for enga ingthe. sliding element to move it to and i ro in a line longitudinal ofmeans the paper webs and means for positively engaging the paperadjacent the pins, said means being releasable.

53. In a multi-copytmachine, means for supplying continuous webs ofpaper, a support upon which multiple copies are to be made, meansbetween the supplying means and the support for laterally aligning theforms and means beyond the support for longitudinally aligning them.

54. In a multi-copy machine, means for supplying continuous webs ofpaper, a support upon which multiple copies are to be made, and idlerpinbearing rotary means located between the supplying means and thesupport adapted for engagement with successive holes in the webs forlateral alignment of the webs.

55. In a multi-copy machine, means for loosely retaining a suppl ofcontinuous webs of paper, means for oosely and individually alignin saidwebs laterally, means for supporting tfie webs for making multiplecopies thereof, and means for loosely engaging uniformly arranged holesin the webs for ali ning them longitudinally.

56. n a multi-copy machine, means for loosely retaining a suppl ofcontinuous webs of paper, means for oosely and individually alignin saidwebs laterally, means for supportin t e webs for making multiple .copiesthereo and means for loosely engaging uniformly arranged holes in thewebs for aligning them longitudinally, said means for aligning the webslaterally comprising idler pin bearing rotary "bodies, adapted to engageholes formed uniformly in the various webs.

57. In a multi-copy machine, means for loosely retaining a supply ofcontinuous .webs of paper, means for loosely and individually aligninsaid webs laterally, means for sup ortin t e webs for making multiple-copies t ereo and means for loosely engaging uniformly arranged holesin the webs for aligning them longitudinally, said means for ali ingthewebs laterally comprising idler pin bearing rotary bodies, adap tedto engage holesiformed uniformly in the various webs, said idlers beingset out of line with the means for supporting the webs,-

, whereby they are frictionally free. in their movement therefrom to thesaid support.

58. In a fiat bed multi-copy machine, the

I combination with a platen, a writing machine movable over the platen,means for retaining carbon paper at both sides of the Y platen, saidmeans being adapted to retain the carbon paper spaced above the platensurface when the writing machine is removed therefrom, and to bind itdown tight- 1y against the platen when the writing machine is in writingposition.

59. The combination in a multi-copy machine of means for supplyingcontinuous webs of paper to be interlaced with transversely extendingwebs of a transferring medium, of web-like means between which said websof paper pass prior to being brought into contact with said transverselyextending webs, said means being adapted to extend over the edges ofsaid transversely extending webs, and thence along the under surface ofthe transferring medium to a point beneath the printing surface of thecontinuous webs to block ofl a transfer at selected points.

60. The combination in a multi-copy machine of means for supplyingcontinuous Webs of paper to a printing point, means for mountingtransversely extending interlaced pieces of carbon paper'between thewebs of paper, and web-like means lying between the webs of paper andextending over the edges of said transversely extending Webs of carbonpaper, and thence along the under-surface of the carbon paper to thedesired degree to a point beneath the printing surface of the continuousWebs to block off a transfer at selected points.

61. The combination in a multi-copy machine of means for supplyingcontinuous webs of paper, means for mounting transversely extendinginterlaced carbon paper strips for said paper and a series of weblikeelements also lying between saidwebs of paper and free at the side edgesand having ends adapted to extend in the direction of the Web papermovement, and thence along the under surface of the carbon paper stripsto the desired degree for blocking ofi' transference from the desiredportions of underlying paper webs.

62. The combmation 1n a multi-copy ma therebetween, comprising a seriesof bars set between the paper. webs, and elements extending from saidbars and lapping over both sides of said carbon paper edges, saidelements extending thence along the surface of the carbonpaper to apoint beneath the printing point of the machine, and said elementscomprising double pieces of flexible material secured to said bars andsupported between said webs ofpaper.

- 63. The combination in a multi-copy machine of means for guarding theedges of interlaced carbon paper, from distortion by the movement ofmultiple webs of paper therebetween, comprising a series of bars setbetween the paper webs, and elements extending from said bars andlapping over both sides of said carbon paper edges, said elementscomprising double pieces of paper secured over the bars and supportedbetween said Webs of paper, with the outer edges of the pieces cut withthe desired extensions to block off carbon paper transference to thedesired degree.

64. In a multi-copy machine adapted for use with continuous Webs ofpaper forms having uniform marking thereon and having uniformly locatedholes both longitudinally and laterally thereof, of pin means forengaging the lateral and longitudinal holes for aligning said Webs priorto forming copies thereon, said holes being larger than the pins.

65. In a multi-copy machine adapted for use with continuous webs ofpaper forms having uniform marking thereon and having uniformly locatedholes both longitudinally and laterally thereof, of means for looselyretaining the webs in the machine,

, and pin means for ldosely engaging the lateral and longitudinal holes,for the purpose described.

66. In a multi-copy machine adapted for use with continuous webs ofpaper forms having uniform marking thereon and having uniformly locatedholes both longitudinally and laterally thereof, of means for looselyretaining the webs in the machine, pin means for loosely engaging thelongitudinal holes for effecting lateral alignment of the webs, andadditional pin means located to act upon the webs after being laterallyaligned and adapted for loose engagement with the lateral holes to alignthe Webs longitudinally. '7

67. In a multi-copy machine in which a plurality of webs of paper are tobe manually grasped, and pulled through the machine, aligning means forlongitudinal alignment comprising a pin bearing means having a pin orpins to engage holes in the paper, said means being mounted so as topermit of repeated movement to and fro in a path longitudinal of thepaper, but of less length than would accomplish a feeding of the paper.

68. In a multi -copy machine in which a plurality of Webs of paper areto be manually grasped, pulled through the machine, and aligning meansfor longitudinal alignment comprising a pin bearing means having a pinor pins to engage holes in the paper, said means being mounted so as topermit of repeated movement to and fro in a path longitudinal of thepaper and a lateral aligning means comprising idler pin heating bodiesadapted to engage holes in the paper whereby the holes for the firstmentioned pin bearing means will be capable of use without repeatedcollation of the paper web.

JOHN Q. SHERMAN. ALBERT W. METZNER.

